After Effects

Animate your type

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and share many common features, which makes for a fluid workflow. JJ Johnstone reveals how to create an impressive title animation using the two applications side by side.

After Effects has revolutionised the animation industry, making desktops as powerful a tool as large production houses, and the best thing about it is that it shares plenty of functionality with Photoshop.

The ability to transfer layered PSDs and text layers from Photoshop to After Effects means you can make the leap from static image to animation in no time. In this example, you'll use these two tools seamlessly to create animated titles that could be used for any project, whether it's for web, TV or a short film.

Using your skills in Photoshop you'll create a layered PSD containing type that you've created, kerned and perfected. You'll then add a background or other design elements to the PSD before separating everything into layers. After Effects retains all the layer information when it is imported as a composition.

With simple techniques you can add professional and elegant movement to your type and give your compositions depth, personality and added flare. You can use the Start and End files as a useful guide if you need help. Otherwise, create everything from scratch or try animating compositions you have already made.